Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced pop-up COVID vaccine clinics to be held in Buffalo Friday and Saturday. The clinics will targets those between 16 and 25 years old and will be held at the Greater Buffalo United Accountable Healthcare Network on Main Street in Buffalo.
Convenience is a focus of the clinics and the NFTA is providing a free bus voucher for 1,000 people so they can get to the vaccination site without having to pay.
During a briefing last week, Cuomo chastised Western New York for having the highest COVID positivity rate in the state and blamed the numbers on a population that resisted guidance. During his Thursday visit, Cuomo commented on the region's vaccination rate, saying, "Your vaccination rate is higher than the state rate in 75 plus and 65 to 74." "It's a littler lower on 16 to 25," added Cuomo. Cuomo said the 16 to 25 year old population is the target audience for the state presently.
There was also good news for the Buffalo Marathon during the COVID briefing. "The Buffalo Marathon is going to return this year," said Cuomo. The event will take place June 26th.
Cuomo says 5 percent of New Yorkers have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Cuomo announced the Western New York region's COVID positivity rate remains the highest at 3.5 percent while the statewide rate is at 1.8 prcent.
In New York State Wednesday, 38 deaths were attributed to COVID.
Cuomo was asked about the plan for New York City to fully reopen by July 1 and quickly responded, saying, "I want it opened on Monday." Cuomo said the science will guide reopening and also indicated a full reopening before July 1 is a possibility.
"I think if we do what we have to do, we can be reopened earlier."
